4WD with some ground clearance is recommended. John Muir Wilderness is … The trail climbs steeply, slicing up a tree–sprinkled slope in a score of switchbacks. With the meadow in the foreground, the view out toward 10,612–foot Three Sisters Peak above Dinkey Lake's calm surface is a Sierra scene you'll never forget. Users have reported that the road to the trailhead can be difficult for 2WD vehicles. Enjoy level walking through lodgepole pines, savoring the abundance of blossom–covered Labrador tea on the forest floor. Drink your fill of Dinkey Lake's calm beauty, and then press on to another junction at 4.1 miles. Date: August 2, 2018 Place: Dinkey Lakes Wilderness, Prather, California Coordinates: 37.166173, -119.068209 Length: 9 miles Level: moderate (last 1.5 miles strenuous) Despite the perfect conditions my third night of the Dinkey Lakes … It begins at Dinkey Lakes Trailhead At Willlow Medow and ends at Cliff Lake Trailhead. Keep left toward Dinkey Lake. What … Watch for the blooms of mountain pennyroyal, meadow penstemon, sticky cinquefoil, and golden brodiaea as you walk to a junction at 1.3 miles. Would I be turned back by a fire? Dinkey Lakes Loop Dinkey Lakes Wilderness in the Southern Sierra Highlights: Dinkey Lakes Loop is an easy backpack of 7 to 9 miles (round trip) with walls of glaciated granite, and mountain lakes stocked … Dinkey Lakes Wilderness August 25, 2016 After spending yesterday in the nearby Kaiser Wilderness, I have headed back up the radiator-killing hill from the unexciting city of Clovis, for yet another day in an … It comprises 30,000 acres (12,141 ha) within the … Gear Reviews Hoping to sneak in a few days of hiking before the big crowds of Labor Day, we drove south to the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness and found just what we were looking for. Dinkey Lakes Trail [CLOSED] is a 6.7 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Shaver Lake, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. CHECK OUT The trailhead for Dinkey Lakes is hard to find and difficult to get to, but this delightful hike would be worth a drive that was twice as aggravating. See park page for more information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7191/ The Dinkey Lakes Basin is a very mellow place, with various choices of routes and many campsite options as well. The Dinkey Lakes Loop is a good day hike for vigorous hikers coming up from the Willow Meadow trailhead. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Please contact Sierra National Forest to get information on this detour. Hiking Home There is a bridge out on the road leading to the trailhead. Easy hike with big rewards! The Dinkey Lakes Wilderness was protected by Congress in 1984 with the passage of the California Wilderness Act. The Sierra National Forest has five wilderness areas: Ansel Adams, Dinkey Lakes, John Muir, Kaiser, and Monarch. Dinkey Lakes Trail is a heavily trafficked loop trail located near Shaver Lake, California. “BEWARE SMALL SITES - 28, 29 & 31 - all three are practically right on top of each other and very … You'll arrive on First Dinkey Lake's meadowy shore shortly after. The trip started at Cliff Lake Trailhead, and visited most of the Dinkey Lakes over 5 days. ©1991 by Karen and Terry Whitehill. Note the swamp lake road from dinkey creek is closed at the cow creek bridge, about five miles short of the trail head, use the foster ridge road. We hiked down to Fingerbowl Lake, then further down to a ledge where we could see four lakes: Mystery, Swede, South and First Dinkey. See park page for more information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7191/, #5 - Dinkey Lakes and Dusy-Ershim OHV Loop [CLOSED], #6 - Cliff Lake, Mystery Lake, Black Peak, and Helms Meadow Loop [CLOSED], #7 - Cliff Lake via Dinkey Lakes Trail [CLOSED], #8 - Zingheim Heights via Dusy-Ershim OHV Route [CLOSED], Three Sisters Peak Trail to Cliff Lake, Rock Lake, and Island Lake [CLOSED], Dinkey Lakes Loop via Cliff Lake [CLOSED], Three Sisters Peak Trail to Cliff Lake, Rock Lake, Second Dinkey Lake, South Lake, Swede Lake, Mystery Lake and First Dinkey Lake [CLOSED], Dinkey Lakes and Dusy-Ershim OHV Loop [CLOSED], Cliff Lake, Mystery Lake, Black Peak, and Helms Meadow Loop [CLOSED], Cliff Lake via Dinkey Lakes Trail [CLOSED], Zingheim Heights via Dusy-Ershim OHV Route [CLOSED]. If you time your hike for the height of the wildflower season, you'll be treated to Lemmon's paintbrush, bistort, primrose monkeyflower, meadow penstemon, and shooting star—to name just a few of Dinkey Lake's meadow treasure. A second sign says, "Road not suited for passenger cars," and it's probably right; however, a skillful driver can make it. You'll regain the creek's company at 0.3 mile. You'll want to keep to the left through a cleared–out gathering point for four–wheel–drive vehicles as you near your goal. You'll regain your entry route at 5.7 miles as you go right at a signed junction for Willow Meadow. The Dinkey Lakes Wilderness is a federally designated wilderness area located 45 miles (72 km) northeast of Fresno, in the state of California, USA. The Dinkey Lakes are located in the Dinkey Wilderness in the Sierra National Forest east of Shaver Lake. 9 friends. Day One: it began a long drive down to Courtwright Reservoir with stops in Madera for lunch at a Chinese restaurant (forgettable) and Prather to pick up our permit and get the latest Tom Harrison Map of the Dinkey Lakes … A bit of a mix for a wilderness: good trails, some poor trails, slow ascents, lakes aplenty, fish too, and grand vistas from Dogtooth Peak. Turn left onto a rough, unpaved road signed for the Dinkey Lakes trailhead. A backpacking trip to Dinkey Lakes Wilderness in the Sierra National Forest in 2020. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, fishing, and backpacking and is best used from June until November. All are managed with special regulations to protect their ecosystems and preserve the … All rights reserved.Click Here to Buy This Book. This area features a popular loop hike … Pictures of Dinkey Lakes Pictures of the Kaiser Wilderness Pictures of Weaver and Jennie Lakes High Sierra Wildflowers Fish pictures Fall color in September Seasons Trip descriptions Key words: hiking, … SoCal to Fresno to Dinkey Lakes. 10-miles of off-roads to trailhead. We could see a lot of things in the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness such as Black Peak, Rock Meadow, Red Mountain, and several of the lakes. Leave Mystery Lake at 2.0 miles, and cross the outlet creek descending from Swede Lake. Mystery Lake, First and Second Dinkey Lakes, Rock Lake. This large lake boasts a score of campspots, good fishing, and a handsome granite backdrop to tempt those who wish to linger. It is approximately 3.5 miles in and climbs … With any luck, the memory of this loop's matchless scenery will keep you humming throughout your pothole–peppered drive back toward civilization. Dogtooth Peak, Coyote Lake, & The There Sisters. Find the best Hiking on Yelp: search reviews of 131 Dinkey Creek businesses by price, type, or location. Dinkey Lakes 20-23 August 2020 After a smoky drive to the Cliff Lake Trailhead, I hiked toward Dinkey Lakes, not knowing what to expect. Arrive at Swede Lake, gasping, after about 0.3 mile. Great weather. It lies immediately west of the John Muir Wilderness and consists of timbered rolling … We started hiking up the Dinkey Lakes River Trail and then went … Stay on this main, unpaved route 4.7 miles (shunning branches to the left and right), and watch for yet another Dinkey Lakes trailhead sign, marking a spur road to the right. It comprises 30,000 acres (12,141 … The Dinkey Lakes trail is 11.3 miles long. Go right for Mystery Lake, and recross Dinkey Creek soon after. Located in the high elevations between Shaver Lake and Courtright Reservoir is the Dinkey Lakes region. Explore the most popular backpacking trails in Dinkey Lakes Wilderness with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. According to users, there is a driving route that bypasses this bridge, and takes the hiker to the trailhead. Auctions Dogs are also able to use this trail. At the end of the road you will find the Dinkey Lakes Trail head. The Dinkey Lakes Wilderness is a federally designated wilderness area located 45 miles (72 km) northeast of Fresno, in the state of California, USA.It comprises 30,000 acres (12,141 ha) [2] within the … What a lovely spot to catch your breath! A final 1.3 miles leads to the trailhead parking lot. Cross South Lake's outlet creek, and then descend beside it, with views of Dinkey Lake ahead. A gradual ascent leads into a full–scale assault of the hillside. 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